Local-foods group to meet July 9 in Alexandria

The Central Louisiana Local Foods Working Group meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in Alexandria.

The group's role is to engage Central Louisiana in driving long-term changes to create a healthier region and more vibrant local foods economy. The meeting will take place at the office of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, 1118 Third St. in downtown Alexandria.

"The Food Policy Council will give structure and stability to our efforts to build a business model for getting fresh local food to the residents of Central Louisiana," Jim Clinton, president and CEO of the alliance, said in a statement. "There's a double-win for Central Louisiana-we will eat better and the region's economy will be more diversified and vibrant."

Establishing a regional food policy council that works to improve access, supply and distribution of locally grown food is one of the five key objectives of the Central Louisiana Local Foods Initiative. The initiative is funded by grants from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation's Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana grant program and The Rapides Foundation.

"Across the country, food policy councils are a primary element of vibrant local foods economies," said John Cotton Dean, regional food systems planner for the development alliance. "The Central Louisiana Local Foods Working Group will serve as a resource and help guide positive long-term economic change based on local food access and production throughout the region."

The idea of a regional working group is the result of the Sustainable Local Food Policy Council Report, presented to the Louisiana State Legislature in January 2012. The report's first recommendation was the creation of regional food policy task forces.

Since February, several "Eat Local" events have been engaging communities throughout nine Central Louisiana parishes. Focusing on local foods production and access, these discussions have created a grassroots, community-based approach for which the Working Group will build upon and be directed by.

For more information: Go to www.facebook.com/cenlalocalfoods or contact John Cotton Dean at (318) 441-3424 or jdean@cenla.org.

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Local-foods group to meet July 9 in Alexandria

The Central Louisiana Local Foods Working Group meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in Alexandria.The group's role is to engage Central Louisiana in driving long-term changes to create a healthier